Exhaust is smoking really bad(white smoke).

The car over heated a few days ago, top rad hose hot, bottom cold.
I removed thermostat which turned out to be faulty. Replaced it with a new one. Heaters started blowing hot, cold, hot ,cold. I put this down to an air lock. tried bleeding the system today and replaced oil.

The car started smoking slightly before the overheating issue but has got worse.

The car drives as normal without any problems, also boost is as normal.

Any ideas??

MY99 uk 2000

V5 sti bottom end
TD05 18g
etc, etc 350bhp approx

Cheers

Johnlogie

 

Head gasket failure ususally gives white smoke, does it do this up to normal running temps?

 

Yes mate. it smokes like a mother at all temps.

Head gasket was my thought but wanted to see what others had to say before i pull the engine out again

 

Can anyone else back up the head gasket theory, or have any other opinions?

 

Are you having to top up the coolent alot? Any Mayo, best way to check this is take the swan neck think off that the oil cap screws onto (2 12mm bolts hold it on i think) and check where it bends, on mine it gathered there and not in the cap.

If its smoking all the time then waters getting in and evaporating constanly.

When my engine failed, the HG went too and i got constant white smoke. Not tonnes but i also noticed water vapour pooling up in the tail pipe.

 

Ive just changed the oil, the old stuff looks the same as every other time ive changed it(which is after every track day so about 7 times in the past year)

Its used a bit of water(approx 1/2 litre) but i put this down to an air lock

 

bttt